Welsh Tales from the Mabinogion:
The Tale of Lludd and Llefelys
Once upon a time, in the ancient land of Britain, there were two noble brothers named Lludd and Llefelys. Lludd was the king of Britain, known for his bravery and wisdom. His younger brother, Llefelys, was equally wise and kind-hearted. Together, they made a formidable pair, and their bond was unbreakable.
Lludd ruled his kingdom with fairness and compassion, but his reign was not without challenges. Three terrible plagues threatened to bring his kingdom to ruin, and Lludd knew he needed his brother’s help to overcome them. He sent a message to Llefelys, who had become the king of Gaul after marrying the king's daughter, asking for his counsel.
Llefelys agreed to help his brother and invited Lludd to his kingdom. To ensure their conversation remained private, Llefelys devised a clever method: they spoke through a brass tube that no one could overhear. Lludd explained the three plagues:
- The Coranians: A mysterious and powerful race who could hear any word spoken, making it impossible to plot against them.
- The Dragons: A pair of dragons, one red and one white, whose fierce battles in the sky caused destruction and terror across the land.
- The May Day Plague: Every May Day, all the provisions and stores of food and drink in Lludd's kingdom would mysteriously disappear, leaving the people in despair.
Llefelys, being wise and resourceful, provided solutions for each of these plagues.
The First Plague: The Coranians
When Lludd explained the first plague to his brother Llefelys; he described the fearsome Coranians, a mysterious and powerful race that seemed to know every word spoken in the kingdom. Their ability to overhear any conversation made it impossible to plan against them, causing great fear and unrest among the people of Britain. Lludd knew that defeating them would require a solution as clever and elusive as the Coranians themselves.
Llefelys listened carefully and then smiled, his eyes twinkling with the confidence of someone who had a brilliant idea. "Fear not, brother," Llefelys said. "I have a solution that will rid our land of these troublesome invaders without harming our people." He went on to describe a special mixture that could be made from certain insects crushed into water. This mixture, he assured Lludd, would be harmless to the people of Britain but deadly to the Coranians.
Lludd was both relieved and curious. "What insects do we need, and how do we prepare this mixture?" he asked. Llefelys instructed him to gather specific insects known for their potency in folk remedies: beetles, centipedes, and spiders. These insects had to be collected in large quantities, which would require the help of many people. Lludd immediately dispatched his most trusted messengers throughout the kingdom to gather the necessary insects.
For several days, the people of Britain worked together, catching beetles, centipedes, and spiders, placing them carefully into jars. The cooperation and unity among the people were heartwarming, and it seemed that the spirit of solidarity was already a powerful force against the Coranians' oppressive presence.
Once the insects were gathered, Lludd and his trusted alchemists began the task of creating the mixture. They crushed the insects into a fine paste and mixed it thoroughly with fresh spring water until it formed a thick, potent solution. The preparation of this mixture was a laborious process, but Lludd and his people worked tirelessly, driven by the hope of ridding their land of the Coranians once and for all.
With the mixture ready, Llefelys gave Lludd precise instructions on how to use it. "You must sprinkle this mixture around the kingdom," Llefelys advised, "especially near places where the Coranians are known to gather. Be thorough and ensure that every part of the land is covered."
Lludd and his warriors took the mixture and set out across the kingdom. They sprinkled it in the fields, forests, villages, and towns, making sure no area was left untreated. As they worked, the people of Britain watched with bated breath, hoping that this plan would succeed.
As the mixture spread throughout the land, its effects became apparent. The Coranians, who had once seemed invincible, began to falter. Their ability to eavesdrop on conversations diminished, and they grew weaker and more disoriented. The mixture, harmless to the Britons, proved to be the Coranians' undoing. Within days, the Coranians were completely defeated, unable to withstand the potent concoction created by Llefelys's wisdom and Lludd's determination.
With the Coranians vanquished, peace and tranquility returned to Britain. The people rejoiced, grateful for the wisdom of Llefelys and the leadership of their beloved King Lludd. This victory strengthened the bond between the brothers and showed that with cleverness, unity, and courage, even the most formidable enemies could be overcome.
The defeat of the Coranians became a celebrated story, passed down through generations as a testament to the power of wisdom and cooperation. And so, the first plague was lifted, bringing a new era of peace and prosperity to the land of Britain.
The Second Plague: The Dragons
To deal with the dragons, Llefelys instructed Lludd to take a very specific set of actions. The land of Wales was being terrorized by two dragons—one red and one white—whose fierce battles in the sky caused destruction and terror across the kingdom. The roar of their clashes echoed through the valleys and mountains, shaking the very foundation of the earth and striking fear into the hearts of the people.
Llefelys, being wise and knowledgeable in the ways of the magical and the mundane, came up with a clever plan. He told Lludd, "You must dig a large pit in the very center of the kingdom, where the dragons are most likely to engage in their fierce battles. This pit must be deep and wide enough to contain both dragons comfortably."
Lludd wasted no time and gathered his strongest men to dig the pit. They worked tirelessly, day and night, digging deeper and wider, ensuring that the pit would be sufficient to trap the mighty dragons. The people of the kingdom watched anxiously, hoping that this plan would finally bring peace to their troubled land.
Once the pit was complete, Llefelys instructed Lludd to fill it with mead, the most delicious and intoxicating drink known to man and beast alike. The mead was brewed in vast quantities, with honey from the finest bees and water from the purest springs. The aroma of the mead was sweet and inviting, promising to lure even the fiercest of dragons.
Lludd and his men filled the pit with the golden mead, the liquid shimmering under the sunlight. The pit looked like a giant, glistening pond of honeyed delight. To ensure that the dragons would not notice the trap, Lludd covered the pit with a large, sturdy sheet, camouflaging it with branches, leaves, and earth. It looked like an ordinary part of the landscape, unsuspecting and safe.
Then, all they could do was wait. The tension in the air was palpable as the people of Wales held their breath, hoping that the plan would succeed. Days turned into weeks, and the dragons continued their fearsome battles in the sky. Their roars and clashes were a constant reminder of the danger looming over the kingdom.
Finally, one day, the dragons' battle brought them close to the camouflaged pit. The red and white dragons circled each other in the sky, their roars shaking the heavens. As the battle raged on, the dragons grew tired and thirsty from their relentless fighting. The sweet scent of the mead reached their nostrils, and they were drawn to the pit, their curiosity piqued by the enticing aroma.
Circling lower and lower, the dragons eventually landed near the pit. Their massive bodies cast long shadows over the land as they approached the hidden trap. The ground trembled under their weight as they sniffed the air, trying to locate the source of the delicious scent. Their thirst and exhaustion overpowered their caution, and they stumbled upon the pit.
The dragons, unable to resist the lure of the mead, broke through the camouflaged cover and fell into the pit. They drank deeply from the mead, their fierce eyes gradually softening as the intoxicating drink took effect. As they consumed more and more mead, their movements slowed, and they grew increasingly lethargic. Eventually, the dragons fell into a deep, enchanted sleep, their roars replaced by the gentle sound of their breathing.
Seeing that the dragons were finally subdued, Lludd and his men approached the pit cautiously. They wrapped the sleeping dragons in the large sheet, ensuring they were securely bound. The sight of the once fearsome dragons, now peacefully asleep, brought a sense of relief and triumph to everyone present.
With great effort, Lludd and his men lifted the bound dragons from the pit and carried them to a remote, hidden location. There, they buried the dragons deep underground, ensuring they would never again rise to terrorize the kingdom. The ground was sealed with powerful spells, and a large stone was placed over the burial site as a marker, warning future generations of the danger that lay beneath.
The kingdom of Wales rejoiced, for the second plague had been lifted. Peace and tranquility returned to the land, and the people celebrated the bravery and wisdom of their king, Lludd, and his brother, Llefelys. The tale of the dragons became a legend, a reminder of the cleverness and determination needed to overcome even the fiercest of challenges.
The Third Plague: The May Day Plague
The third and most insidious plague to befall the kingdom of Wales was the mysterious May Day plague. Every year on the eve of May Day, the kingdom's provisions and stores of food and drink would disappear without a trace. The people were left in despair, facing hunger and scarcity despite their hard work and careful preparations. The kingdom's morale was shattered, and King Lludd knew that he needed to find a solution to this perplexing problem.
Once again, Lludd turned to his wise brother Llefelys for advice. Llefelys listened attentively as Lludd described the plague that haunted his kingdom every May Day. With a thoughtful expression, Llefelys finally spoke, "This plague is the work of an evil magician, a sorcerer who uses dark magic to rob your kingdom of its sustenance. But fear not, brother, for I have a plan to expose and defeat this magician."
Llefelys explained his strategy in detail. He advised Lludd to prepare a large vat of cold water and place it beside his bed. "The magician will come on the night before May Day to cast a sleeping spell over the entire kingdom," Llefelys said. "But you, dear brother, must stay awake and vigilant. When the magician enters your chamber, you must seize him and plunge him into the vat of cold water. This will break the spell and reveal his true form."
Lludd listened carefully and prepared for the night with great determination. He had a large vat filled with the coldest water he could find and placed it right next to his bed. He made sure that the water was icy cold, knowing it would be crucial for breaking the magician's spell. Lludd then called upon his most trusted guards and instructed them to stay alert and keep watch over the castle, even though he knew they would inevitably fall asleep under the spell.
As night fell, a tense silence enveloped the kingdom. Lludd lay in his bed, pretending to sleep but keeping his eyes open and his senses sharp. Midnight approached, and the air grew thick with an unnatural stillness. The entire kingdom seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the sinister magician to appear.
Just as Llefelys had predicted, the evil magician arrived. Cloaked in darkness and moving with eerie silence, the magician cast his powerful sleeping spell over the kingdom. One by one, the guards and servants succumbed to the enchantment, falling into a deep, enchanted slumber. But Lludd, forewarned and fortified by his brother's wisdom, resisted the spell. His eyes remained open, and his mind alert.
Through the dim light of his chamber, Lludd saw the magician enter, his form barely more than a shadow. The magician moved stealthily, believing everyone to be asleep. As the magician approached Lludd's bed, ready to steal the kingdom's provisions once again, Lludd sprang into action. With a swift and powerful movement, he grabbed the magician by the arm.
The magician, caught off guard, struggled to free himself from Lludd's grasp. But Lludd was strong and determined. With a mighty heave, he plunged the magician into the vat of cold water. The icy water splashed everywhere, and the magician let out a terrible shriek as the cold pierced his body and shattered the enchantment.
As the magician flailed in the water, his true form was revealed. No longer cloaked in darkness, he appeared as a gaunt, pale figure with malevolent eyes. The spell that had held the kingdom in thrall was broken, and the guards and servants began to wake from their enchanted sleep.
Lludd, still holding the magician firmly, demanded to know why he had plagued the kingdom. The magician, shivering and defeated, confessed that he had used his dark magic to steal the provisions each year, driven by greed and malice. He had hoped to weaken the kingdom and sow despair among its people.
With the magician's confession, Lludd called for his guards to bind the sorcerer and take him away. The magician was imprisoned, and his powers stripped away to ensure he could never harm the kingdom again. The next morning, as the sun rose on May Day, the people of Wales awoke to find their provisions intact and their hearts filled with hope and joy.
The defeat of the magician brought an end to the May Day plague, and the kingdom celebrated their deliverance. King Lludd was hailed as a hero, and the wisdom and bravery of both Lludd and Llefelys were praised throughout the land. The bond between the two brothers had once again saved the kingdom from a terrible fate.
From that day forward, May Day became a time of joyous celebration and thanksgiving in Wales. The people remembered the courage of their king and the cleverness of his brother, and the story of their victory over the evil magician was passed down through generations as a tale of resilience, unity, and the triumph of good over evil.
With Llefelys's guidance, Lludd successfully overcame all three plagues, restoring peace and prosperity to his kingdom. The people of Britain celebrated their wise and brave king and honored the bond between the two brothers, whose loyalty and love for each other had saved the kingdom.
Lludd and Llefelys's story became a cherished legend, reminding everyone that with wisdom, courage, and the support of loved ones, even the greatest challenges can be overcome.
The End